(CNN) - The committee tasked with electing Republicans to the Senate sent an email to supporters Thursday, praising Mitt Romney's debate performance and asking for donations to help the GOP nominee continue the "momentum."

The boost comes two weeks after some Republican Senate candidates openly criticized their own party's nominee over Romney's controversial "47%" comments, where he described nearly half of Americans as "victims" dependent on the government because they don't pay federal income taxes.- Follow the Ticker on Twitter: @PoliticalTicker

The comments, which came from secretly recorded video at a May fund-raiser, quickly sparked an uproar among Democrats and some Republicans. While Romney said he could have stated his argument "more clearly," he largely stood by the point of his message and continued to rail against the increasing size of government.

However, former Gov. Tommy Thompson, who's running in a tight Senate race in Wisconsin, made headlines last month when he blamed Romney's snafu for his own slippage in recent polls at the time.

"The presidential thing is bound to have an impact on every election," Thompson told Madison television station WKOW. "You know, whether you're a Democrat or Republican. If you're a standard-bearer for the presidency is not doing well, it's going to reflect on the down ballot."

Incumbent Sen. Dean Heller of Nevada also tried to distance himself from Romney's comments, saying he believes a safety net is "one of the responsibilities of the federal government." Heller is defending his seat in a close race against Democratic challenger Shelley Berkley.

Other Republican candidates in razor thin Senate races–Sen. Scott Brown of Massachusetts and Linda McMahon in Connecticut–expressed disagreement with Romney over his comments, as well. It's worth noting, however, both candidates are running in typically blue states.

In the email sent Thursday by the National Republican Senatorial Committee, however, the group's chairman, Sen. John Cornyn, painted a united show of support among GOP senators and praised the nominee's debate performance.

"Mitt Romney couldn't have made a case for our vision of a Conservative government any better," the email stated.

Setting a goal for $100,000 by midnight, the fundraising pitch marked another signal that Wednesday night's debate could prove to be a turning point in the race, with Romney bolstering his conservative base.

"Romney's performance will help Republicans across the board, but we need to stand together and make sure this momentum doesn't end," the email stated. "Governor Romney in the White House is only part of the story."

soundoff(31 Responses)

Chris

Romny suprized me. Listening to him debate it was encouraging. Maybe conservative values will be brought into the Oval Office after all. I shure don`t want four more years of Obama. His verson of Change did not work.

October 5, 2012 02:15 am at 2:15 am |

san

Not all of the 47% of Americans not paying taxes are not taking responsibility for themselves many are unemployed workers looking for work or used to work full-time but now have a physical disability like Cerebal Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy, Parkinson's or Ataxia, Multiple Sclerosis or Huntington's Disease or cancer or Type 1 diabetes that is the deadly form or have metal in their neck, back, or legd that prevent them from working full-time because they can't sit or stand for a long time without a lot of pain

October 5, 2012 02:17 am at 2:17 am |

Valar Morghulis

Keep pouring money down the Romney/Ryan rat hole. The more the better. Siphon as much of way from down ballot GOP candidates as possible.

Republican's don't want to associate with their own, when they get caught saying what they all believe? They lie to the mass so they can govern for the elite!

October 5, 2012 05:59 am at 5:59 am |

jinx88

It wont matter it was a waste of money before and it is still waste of money now. Obama chance of winning the WH again is up even after the debate. The problem with Mittens is he doesnt know whether he is coming or going. America is to smart for his flip-floping.

October 5, 2012 08:19 am at 8:19 am |

Viet.Vet.

Yes, there they go again living on lies, pixie dust and delusion, the Republicans continue to believe that the majority of Americans are not as intelligent as their low information base and thus they can say anything without facts, they are in for a rude awakening.